Testimony reveals victim fought for his life

ROCKFORD — After seeing his wife, Norma Bean, shot without warning near an Oakfield Township gravel pit, Robert Bean, of Howard City, wrestled in the road with his gun-wielding neighbor and a stranger over the weapon. He lost, according to court testimony.

The final frightening hours of the Howard City couple, who were kidnapped from their beds, robbed and slain in northern Kent County this month, were detailed during a preliminary hearing for suspects Robert "Bobby" Jay Fisk, 25, and Timothy Stephan, 28.

Stephan lived across the street from the 66-year-old victims. Both men are charged with nine felony counts, including kidnapping, armed robbery and murder in the Oct. 6 attack. They face life in prison without parole.

After the two-hour preliminary hearing, Rockford District Judge Steven Servaas ruled there was enough evidence to bind them over for trial. They were returned to the Kent County Jail without bond.

Norma and Robert Bean

But not before the victims' relatives and court watchers heard from five witnesses who painted a picture of two felons who ingested prescription pills and alcohol, stole money and concocted stories blaming each other for orchestrating a double-murder of a well-known couple.

According to authorities who interviewed the suspects, Fisk and Stephan initially entered the Beans' home as the couple slept and stole Norma Bean's purse and a .22 caliber weapon. They found an ATM card with four digits on the back, but they tried it so many times the bank machine confiscated it.

They also stole 34 Vicodin tablets and split them.

After drinking and taking drugs, Stephan told detectives that Fisk told him to go back to steal more. When the two entered the home, Fisk allegedly stole a weapon and rousted the sleeping couple and demanded more money,

Stephan took their van and drove the couple to multiple ATMs in Montcalm County until Robert Bean suggested Sand Lake, authorities said the suspects told them. At one point, they put the gun in Norma Bean's face and threatened to shoot if she did not remain calm, testified one detective.

"They openly talked about killing the Beans," testified Kent County Sheriff's Detective Bryan Muir. He said Fisk threw up in front of investigators while describing witnessing the murder of Norma Bean. Later, Fisk admitted to shooting the woman, police said.

After seeing his wife shot, the suspects told police that Robert Bean tussled in the road over the weapon. Stephan told police he wrestled the gun away and shot Bean, then dropped the gun and fled, hearing two more shots behind him.

Stephan's stepmother, Tina Marie Stephan, testified she found a piece of paper near some laundry in her home with what appeared to be an outline of the attack on the Beans.

The writings said in part "Money, all, or I'll shoot you. Will do ATM. Keys to gun cabinet. Duct tape."

She gave it to authorities, telling them she recognized her stepson's handwriting.